Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

While the current vintage silver case is beautiful, it blows when it comes to securing the bass during transport. The SKB case is better in this department, but have you ever seen one of the feet on the bottom get punched in because they lack internal support? The SKB case doesn't hold the bass securly if you lean it up against the wall and open it. As the bass slides down out of the case, the back can be scratched as it slides over the aluminum case edging. I prefer the original 70's to 80's cases with the orange, blue, or black interiors. There's always padding at the bridge end of the bass that helps hold it in place, and an accessory compartment against the upper horn that keeps the bass from moving. In addition, some of these are also form fitting.

I have one of those, it came with my MG 4001; I need to replace the incorrect handle someday, it came like that to me.

jps wrote:I have one of those, it came with my MG 4001; I need to replace the incorrect handle someday, it came like that to me.

I had one of these with my '73 BurgundyGlo...

The small stoarage compartment (on thenCarvin case) is a tradeoff. I usually have my VT pedal,wallwart,and 2 cables,as well as a guitar strap,and the small compartment will not hold all that.
The case i got with my 74 4000 looks like the one Jeff showed. It is the best i've seen for the Rick,but i don't see them come up very often on ebay...

aceonbass wrote:The SKB case doesn't hold the bass securly if you lean it up against the wall and open it.

why would you do that?

I always put whatever bass case i use flat on the floor to open it. Although lately,what with my lower back being a PITA,i've taken to using an amp stand as an elevated platform to rest my case on. It's very secure and keeps me from having to go all the way to the floor with the bass. (Yes,I'm OLD!)

woodyng wrote: why would you do that?

Where ever I've practiced, or played for that matter, floor space has always been at a premium, so I lean my cases up against the wall.

Related question: Does anyone know a good place to get the latches on an old-school RIC case repaired? I'm in WV, so the closest large cities are Cincy, Columbus, and Pitt. I also get to Chicago fairly often.

Anachronism wrote:Related question: Does anyone know a good place to get the latches on an old-school RIC case repaired? I'm in WV, so the closest large cities are Cincy, Columbus, and Pitt. I also get to Chicago fairly often.

https://www.ohiotravelbag.com

If by chance you're in the northeast US, there's an SKB case posted in Rhode Island Craigslist for $85. I have no connection, just passing along info.

Thanks for the Carvin tip Woody. The case you mention looks like a winner. They also have a nice gig bag with a pocket that looks like it would hold a mini amp as well as a bass. The Carvin logo is pretty big though.

aceonbass wrote:While the current vintage silver case is beautiful, it blows when it comes to securing the bass during transport. I prefer the original 70's to 80's cases with the orange, blue, or black interiors. There's always padding at the bridge end of the bass that helps hold it in place, and an accessory compartment against the upper horn that keeps the bass from moving. In addition, some of these are also form fitting.

Same but lugging a few of the 80's/90's black tolex covered with form fitting interiors up a few flights of steps to a rehearsal studio will make you dislike them just a little bit. The SKB cases are lighter and they take minor bumps a bit better. While Tolex is like rhino skin, I seem to tear it pretty easy on sharp corners.

Sepp

Who's making Rickenbacker's vintage style cases these days?

I personally would go for something other than the SKB case that accompanies new Rics as my first one (of four) had a tendency to crack around the feet. Otherwise the cases seem to be ok, but I am not particularly confident of the quality of them and wish I had had the option to take a different case.

I wouldn't go for a silver tolex type case (I have one for a 60th anniversary P bass and I am scared to take it out of the house in case it gets marked).

Given the option now, I would go for something the equivalent of the rugged cases Fender supply new USA Jazz basses in, or the Warwick Flightcase.

Kiddwad57 wrote:Who's making Rickenbacker's vintage style cases these days?

G&G Quality Case
https://ggqualitycase.com/

That G&G website offers a lot to think about when it comes to cases. Right, just a case, but cases are important. I recently ordered a new case for the Pollman 5-string bass that I got a couple of years ago. I'd been switching one case back and forth between two basses, (ya don't play 'em both at the same time; never even had'em both at the same gig!), but broke down and bought a deluxe Mooradian for it. It cost a bit but fits like a glove and, believe it or not, makes the bass feel lighter than when it's not in a case. It's gonna last for years. Anyway, the standard skb case that came with my Ric is six years old and has developed little vertical splits under the latches which has gotten me thinking about a new case for that bass. So this topic has an interest for me.

Gig bags have come a long way since my wife got me one as a gift thirty-three fricking years ago. Not that it hasn't held up well under a lot of abuse, (sorry honey), but after reading up on many of the currently available gig bags, I've decided that it would be more fun to get a nice wooden case. Good gig bags seem as bulky as a hard shell anyway.

I don't want to contact the company prematurely because this is still a "pipe dream." G&G does offer custom work. Great exterior and interior coverings and linings. Since they've been making cases for Rickenbacker for a long time they probably have the know-how and patterns to incorporate some of the ideas that have been thrown around here. Woody got the wheels turning when he brought up his Carvin case. The interior detailing that Dane was referring to and that Jeff provided photos for come to mind. The comment from twelvestringbassist about the quality of cases that come with a USA Fender struck home because I've got a great tweed case for my five-string JB.

A new Rickenbacker vintage style case is a good starting point. When you think about how much we have invested in our basses having one truly excellent case doesn't seem like such a stretch.